Adoption by Guardian

A guardianship is established when a court issues “Letters of Guardianship”. These letters give the guardian responsibility for the health, education and safety of a child. An adoption of a child by the guardian of that child proceeds differently depending on whether or not that child is in foster care. If the child is in foster care, the adoption proceeds as a foster care adoption. If a guardian is adopting a child who is not in foster care, typically four interested parties work together in the adoption:

Birth mother,

Birth father,

Guardian, and

The adoptee (child to be adopted).

This adoption can be initiated without a home study. However, a home study must be completed before the adoption can be granted.The adoption provides legal recognition of the emotional attachment that has already been formed. For more information about a guardian adoption, please contact us at (989) 839-0534.